Method and apparatus for setting imaging environment by using signals transmitted by plurality of clients

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for setting an imaging environment of a medical apparatus based on one or more signals transmitted from a plurality of clients are provided. The method of setting an imaging environment of a medical apparatus based on one or more signals transmitted from a plurality of clients includes transmitting information regarding an imaging operation of the medical apparatus to the plurality of clients, receiving one or more response signals with respect to the information from the plurality of clients, and setting the imaging environment of the medical apparatus based on the one or more response signals.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/468,600 filed Aug. 26, 2014, which claims priority from Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2013-0114140, filed on Sep. 25, 2013, in the KoreanIntellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporatedherein in their entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

Methods and apparatuses consistent with the exemplary embodiments relateto a method and apparatus for setting a imaging environment of a medicalapparatus based on at least one signal transmitted from a plurality ofclients, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for setting aimaging environment of a medical apparatus by providing a plurality ofclients with information for setting the imaging environment inreal-time or simultaneously and receiving at least one response signalfrom each of the plurality of clients.

2. Description of the Related Art

Compared to a general X-ray apparatus, a CT system provides across-sectional image of an object and may show an inner structure(e.g., an organ such as a kidney, a lung, etc.) of the object withoutany overlap with other objects.

The CT system may obtain a plurality of pieces of image data of areaswith a thickness of no more than 2 mm for several tens to severalhundreds of times per second and then may process the plurality ofpieces of image data. Accordingly, the CT system may provide arelatively accurate cross-sectional image of the object.

That is, tomographic images of the object are captured a plurality oftimes while rotating an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector around theobject. X-ray projection data of the object obtained through the imagecapturing operations may be reconstructed as cross-sectional images ofthe object through mathematical calculations such as an iterative methodor a back-projection method.

The CT system has been developed in order to acquire high quality imageswithin a short imaging time while at the same time reducing an amount ofradiation exposure to the object.

SUMMARY

One or more exemplary embodiments include a method and apparatus forsetting a imaging environment of a medical apparatus based on at leastone signal transmitted from a plurality of clients.

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description whichfollows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may belearned by practice of the presented exemplary embodiments.

According to one or more exemplary embodiments, a method of setting animaging environment of a medical apparatus based on one or more signalstransmitted from a plurality of clients, the method includes:transmitting information regarding an imaging operation of the medicalapparatus to the plurality of clients, receiving one or more responsesignals with respect to the information from the plurality of clients,and setting the imaging environment of the medical apparatus based onthe one or more response signals.

The information regarding the imaging operation may include at least oneof an image monitoring information, an imaging parameter information,and an image processing information.

The one or more response signals may include at least one of an imagingapproval signal or an imaging termination signal if the informationrelated to the imaging operation is the image monitoring information, asignal to change imaging parameters if the information related to theimaging operation is the imaging parameter information, and a signal toset an image reconstruction condition if the information related to theimaging operation is the image processing information

The information relating to the imaging operation may further includeinformation about a video conference between the plurality of clients.

The one or more response signals may include at least one of an imagesignal and a voice signal for the video conference.

The setting of the photographing environment may include: selecting atleast one of the one or more response signals according to a priorityorder between the plurality of clients; and setting the imagingenvironment of the medical apparatus according to selected responsesignal.

Information representing the set imaging environment may be transmittedto the plurality of clients in real-time as transmitting the informationregarding the imaging operation.

According to one or more exemplary embodiments, an apparatus configuredto set a imaging environment of a medical apparatus based on one or moreresponse signals transmitted from a plurality of clients, the apparatusincludes: a transmitter configured to transmit information regarding animaging operation of the medical apparatus to the plurality of clients;a receiver configured to receive the one or more response signals withrespect to the information from the plurality of clients; and an imagingenvironment setter configured to set the imaging environment of themedical apparatus based on the one or more response signals.

The information relating to the imaging operation may include at leastone of an image monitoring information, an imaging parameterinformation, and an image processing information.

The one or more response signals may include at least one of an imagingapproval signal or an imaging termination signal if the informationrelated to the imaging operation is image monitoring information, asignal to change the imaging parameters if the information related tothe imaging operation is the imaging parameter information, and a signalto set an image reconstruction condition if the information related tothe imaging operation is the image processing information.

The information regarding the imaging operation may further includeinformation about a video conference between the plurality of clients.

The one or more response signals may include at least one of an imagesignal and a voice signal for the video conference.

The imaging environment setter may further include a selector configuredto select at least one of the one or more response signals according toa priority order between the plurality of clients, and sets the imagingenvironment of the medical apparatus according to selected responsesignal.

Information representing the set imaging environment may be transmittedto the plurality of clients in real-time as transmitted the informationregarding the imaging operation.

According to one or more exemplary embodiments, a non-transitorycomputer readable recording medium includes a program for executing themethod according to the above description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects will become apparent and more readilyappreciated from the following description of the exemplary embodiments,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method of setting a imagingenvironment of a medical apparatus based on at least one signaltransmitted from a plurality of clients, according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram illustrating the method of setting theimaging environment based on the participation of a plurality ofclients, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2B is a timing diagram showing the method of setting the imagingenvironment based on at least one signal transmitted from a plurality ofclients, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of displaying imaging informationprovided to a plurality of clients, according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 4A is a diagram showing an example of displaying imaging parameterinformation provided to a plurality of clients, according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4B is a diagram showing another example of displaying the imagingparameter information provided to a plurality of clients, according toan exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a method of recovering animage provided to a plurality of clients, according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of displaying information aboutan operating type of a medical apparatus, which is set in advance,according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of triggering informationprovided to a plurality of clients, according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of displaying information in aclient provided with information relating to the imaging, according toan exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of displaying information ina client provided with the information relating to the imaging,according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method of setting an imagingenvironment based on a response signal, according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 11 is a timing diagram illustrating the method of setting theimaging environment of the medical apparatus based on connectionconfirmations of the plurality of clients and a priority orderdetermined with respect to the plurality of confirmed clients, accordingto the exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an apparatus for setting a imagingenvironment of a medical apparatus based on at least one signaltransmitted from a plurality of clients, according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an apparatus for setting a imagingenvironment of a medical apparatus further including a selector,according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a computerized tomography (CT) systemaccording to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a block diagram exemplary showing a CT system according to anexemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 16 is an exemplary diagram of a communicator according to anexemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Expressions such as “at least one of,” when preceding a list ofelements, modifies the entire list of elements and does not modify theindividual elements of the list.

The terms used in the specification will be briefly described below, andthen the exemplary embodiments will be described in detail.

The terms used in this specification are general terms currently widelyused in the art in consideration of the functions, but these terms mayvary according to the intention of those of ordinary skill in the art,precedents, or the occurrence of new technology in the art. Also,specified terms may be selected by the applicant, and in this case, thedetailed meanings thereof will be described in the detailed descriptionof the invention. Thus, the terms used in the specification should beunderstood not as simple names but according to their meanings and theoverall description of the invention.

Throughout the specification, it will also be understood that when acomponent “includes” an element, unless there is another oppositedescription thereto, it should be understood that the component does notexclude another element but may further include another element. Inaddition, terms such as “ . . . unit”, “ . . . module”, or the likerefer to units that perform at least one function or operation, and theunits may be implemented as hardware or software or as a combination ofhardware and software.

The invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which illustrative exemplaryembodiments of the invention are shown. The exemplary embodiments may beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. The exemplary embodimentsare provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, andwill fully convey the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skillin the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Throughout the specification, an “image” may mean multi-dimensional dataformed of discrete image elements (e.g., pixels in a two-dimensional(2D) image and voxels in a three-dimensional (3D) image). For example,the image may include a medical image of an object which is captured bya computed tomography (CT) image-capturing apparatus.

Throughout the specification, a “CT image” may mean an image generatedby synthesizing a plurality of X-ray images that are obtained by imagingan object while a CT image-capturing apparatus rotates around at leastone axis with respect to the object.

Throughout the specification, an “object” may be a human, an animal, ora part of a human or animal. For example, the object may be an organsuch as a liver, heart, womb, brain, breast, abdomen, or the like, or ablood vessel. Also, the object may be a phantom made of a materialhaving a volume having approximately the same density and effectiveatomic number of an organism. The phantom may be a sphere phantom havingcharacteristics similar to the human body.

Throughout the specification, a “user” may be, but is not limited to, amedical expert including a medical doctor, a nurse, a medical laboratorytechnologist, a medial image expert, and a technician who repairs amedical apparatus.

When medical images of an object (for example, a patient) are acquiredby a radiological technologist according to a clinician's prescription,the clinician determines whether the accuracy and quality of theacquired medical images are good enough for diagnosing the object. Ifthe quality and accuracy of the acquired medical image are low and are-imaging operation of the object is necessary, the object isinevitably exposed to further radiation.

That is, in order for the clinician to precisely diagnose a state of anorgan of the patient, medical images of high quality have to beacquired. However, the shapes and locations of organs may be differentaccording to the patient, and thus, the medical image capturingoperation may have to be performed several times according to the skillof the radiological technologist. Such repeated imaging operations toacquire medical images increases the exposure time of the object to theradiation, which may be harmful to the health of the object.

Also, if the patient visits a lot of hospitals for diagnosing ortreating an illness, a test (or imaging operation) that has been alreadyperformed in other hospitals may be repeatedly performed.

For example, if a patient who is suspected of having a stroke visited anemergency room of hospital A, and a few days later, visits anotherhospital B in order to undergo a thorough medical examination, thepatient may undergo a CT scan or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanoperation in hospital B after getting another CT imaging (scanning) inhospital A. If a time difference between visiting the hospital A andvisiting the hospital B is short, the patient may be frequently exposedto radiation within a short period of time, and the frequent medicalexaminations may further deteriorate the object's health.

Also, the imaging may be performed for a plurality of times beforeidentifying the patient's illness, or the imaging may be performed for aplurality of times within a short period of time in order to observe atreatment result.

Thus, if the radiological technologist may receive information that isnecessary for diagnosis from the clinician in real-time during preparingor performing the medical image capturing operation with respect to theobject, the radiological technologist may reflect the information to theimaging operation of the object so as to correct an error occurring inthe imaging processes (for example, imaging a wrong portion of theobject) and prevent unnecessary re-imaging process. According to theexemplary embodiments, an optimal imaging environment may be set basedon participations of a plurality of users relating to the medical imagecapturing operation.

Also, if the plurality of users relating to the medical image capturingoperation such as the radiological technologist, the clinician, et al.are located far away from each other, information for setting theimaging environment may be acquired from each of the users at the sametime, and then, the medical image capturing operation is performed basedon the acquired information, and thereby overcoming spatial and temporallimitations in the imaging operation.

For example, if the patient is suspected of having a stroke although nohemorrhage is observed, it is necessary to check whether a contrast or afield of view (FOV) is appropriate. In this case, the radiologicaltechnologist may adjust the contrast or the FOV for acquiring optimalimages with the clinician's assistance.

Also, if the patient is suspected of having a primary bone tumor andreconstruction of the images is performed for a large thickness area,the clinician may not observe the bone precisely. Therefore, theclinician needs to reduce a thickness of a slice directly or with theradiological technologist's assistance before or during the imagingoperation in order to diagnose the disease exactly.

In addition, if the medical images include much noise, a medicalapparatus technician needs to apply an appropriate filter for improvingimage quality within a range of appropriately maintaining a goodresolution of the image. The application of the filter may preventunnecessary re-imaging operation, and thus, work amount of theradiological technologist may be reduced and clear images may beprovided, and the clinician may exactly diagnose the disease.

In addition, if it is observed that the patient has a spine injury andthere is a need to capture a medical image of a head portion of thepatient for an exact diagnosis by the clinician, the radiologicaltechnologist may skip the imaging operation of the head portionaccording to clinician's opinion.

Also, the clinician may request the radiological technologist to performa three-dimensional (3D) scanning operation for performing a CT andsingle-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) fusion operationin order to exclude Alzheimer's disease from the possible diagnostic ofa patient having dementia and dysmnesia.

Also, if the patient complains of severe stomachache although there noblockage is seen in a captured image, the clinician may request theradiological technologist to perform an imaging operation using acontrast substance (for example, contrast study).

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method of setting an imagingenvironment of a medical apparatus based on at least one signaltransmitted from a plurality of clients, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

The method of setting the imaging environment of the medical apparatusbased on at least one signal transmitted from a plurality of clientsaccording to the present exemplary embodiment may include transmittinginformation relating to an imaging operation of the medical apparatus tothe plurality of clients (S100), receiving at least one response signalto the information about the imaging operation from the plurality ofclients (S200), and setting the imaging environment of the medicalapparatus based on the at least one response signal (S300).

The medical apparatus according to the exemplary embodiments may bevariously referred to as medical equipment, a medical device, etc., andthe medical apparatus may be an X-ray apparatus, a computed tomography(CT) apparatus, an MRI apparatus, etc. For example, a computedtomography (CT) apparatus is illustrated as a medical apparatus in FIG.14.

The imaging environment may refer to an imaging environment regarding animaging operation of an object, including an imaging protocol, an imagerecovery method, a triggering, etc.

The information about the imaging operation according to the exemplaryembodiments may include at least one of image monitoring information,imaging parameter information, and image processing information.

The image monitoring information according to the exemplary embodimentsmay include information for observing or tracing imaging (scanning)procedures within a predetermined period. The predetermined period maybe a few seconds to a few minutes or the observing or tracing may takeplace in real-time according to the imaging process.

The imaging parameter information according to the exemplary embodimentsmay include information about an imaging (or scanning) type, a tubecurrent magnitude, a tube voltage magnitude, a start point of a regionof interest, a finishing point of the region of interest, and a scanningdirection. This will be described later with reference to FIG. 3.

The image processing information according to the exemplary embodimentsmay include information about an image recovery method, which will bedescribed below with reference to FIG. 5.

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram illustrating a method of setting animaging environment of the medical apparatus based on the participationof a plurality of clients, according to an exemplary embodiment.

The plurality of clients 2000 and 3000 according to the exemplaryembodiment may include a computer, a laptop computer, an electronic bookterminal, a table PC, a mobile phone, a smart television (TV) having adisplay function, an internet protocol (IP) TV, a digital TV, a terminalfor digital broadcast, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portablemultimedia player (PMP), a navigation device, a consumer electronics(CE) appliance (for example, a refrigerator or an air conditioner havinga display panel), etc. However, the exemplary embodiments are notlimited thereto.

According to the exemplary embodiment, an imaging environment settingapparatus 1000 may transmit information regarding an imaging operationto the plurality of clients 2000 and 3000. For example, the imagemonitoring information, the imaging parameter information, the imageprocessing information, etc. may be simultaneously provided to theplurality of clients 2000 and 3000 in real-time.

The information relating to the imaging operation providedsimultaneously to the plurality of clients 2000 and 3000 may bedisplayed in the same layout.

Otherwise, as shown in FIG. 2A, the information relating to the imagingoperation provided simultaneously to the plurality of clients 2000 and3000 may be displayed in different layouts from each other.

For example, the information relating to the imaging operation may beprovided in a layout that varies depending on users, according toprincipal information. The image monitoring information may be principalinformation for a clinician, and thus, the information may be displayedbased on the image monitoring information to the clinician.

Also, as described above, although the information relating to theimaging operation provided to the plurality of clients 2000 and 3000 maybe initially displayed in the same layout, the layout of the informationrelating to the imaging operation may be changed by a user input, whichwill be described later with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

Also, the plurality of clients 2000 and 3000 may transmit at least oneresponse signal with respect to the information relating to the imagingoperation to the imaging environment setting apparatus 1000. That is,the imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 may receive at least oneresponse signal from the plurality of clients 2000 and 3000.

The at least one response signal according to the exemplary embodimentmay include at least one of an imaging approval signal and an imagingtermination signal as the response signal with respect to the imagemonitoring information. Also, the at least one response signal mayinclude a signal for changing the imaging parameter as the responsesignal with respect to the imaging parameter information. In addition,the at least one response signal may include a signal for setting animage reconstruction condition as the response signal with respect tothe image processing information.

For example, the imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 may receivethe imaging approval signal from the first client 2000 input from theclinician. The imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 may allow themedical apparatus to start the imaging operation according to theimaging approval signal.

Also, the imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 may notify themedical apparatus of the reception of the imaging approval signal fromthe first client 2000, via a communicator 132. That is, the imagingenvironment setting apparatus 1000 may directly communicate with themedical apparatus via the communicator 132 of the medical apparatus.Also, the imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 may indirectlycommunicate with the communicator 132 of the medical apparatus via aserver 134.

If the imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 receives a responsesignal indicating that the imaging process is not satisfactory from theclinician via the first client 2000, the imaging environment settingapparatus 1000 may make the medical apparatus terminate the imagingoperation. For example, when receiving a response signal from the firstclient 2000 which indicates that a wrong portion of an object is imagedand an imaging portion has to be changed or a response signalrepresenting that the imaging operation has to be terminated due to badquality, the imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 may control themedical apparatus to terminate the imaging operation.

Also, the at least one response signal according to the exemplaryembodiment may include a signal for changing the imaging parameter as aresponse signal with respect to the imaging parameter information. Theimaging parameter according to the exemplary embodiment will bedescribed later with reference to FIGS. 3 through 7.

The imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 may receive the signalfor changing the imaging parameter input from a medical apparatustechnician via the second client 3000. That is, the imaging parameterthat is used in the imaging operation for achieving appropriateperformances, such as the acquisition of accurate images and a fastimaging speed, may be manipulated by the medical apparatus technician.

The response signal for changing the imaging parameter may betransmitted to the imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 via thesecond client 3000. Also, the response signal for changing the imagingparameter may be transmitted to the imaging environment settingapparatus 1000 via the first client 2000 used by the clinician.

The imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 receiving the signal forchanging the imaging parameter changes the imaging parameter tocorrespond to the response signal, and then, controls the medicalapparatus to operate according to the changed imaging parameter.

Also, the at least one response signal according to the exemplaryembodiment may include a signal for setting an image reconstructioncondition as a response signal with respect to the image processinginformation.

The imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 according to theexemplary embodiment may receive a signal for setting the imagereconstruction condition input from the radiological technologist or themedical apparatus technician via the first client 2000 or the secondclient 3000.

That is, the response signal for setting the image reconstructioncondition for acquiring images that are optimized according to theimaged portion and the imaging kind may be transmitted to the imagingenvironment setting apparatus 1000 via the first client 2000 or thesecond client 3000 by the radiological technologist or the medicalapparatus technician. Also, a response signal for setting the imagereconstruction condition may be transmitted to the imaging environmentsetting apparatus 1000 by the clinician via a predetermined client (forexample, the first client 2000).

The image reconstruction condition according to the exemplary embodimentmay include an algorithm based on a predetermined mathematicalcalculation for reconstructing an image of the object by using raw datacollected via the medical apparatus. For example, the algorithm for theimage reconstruction may be based on a matrix inversion method, aniterative approximation method, a back projection method, a filteredback projection method, a Fourier transformation method, and the like.

For example, a response signal for setting the image reconstructioncondition according to the imaged portion, seriousness of the disease,and a kind of medical examination may be transmitted to the imagingenvironment setting apparatus 1000 by the clinician via a predeterminedclient (for example, the first client 2000).

Although the first client 2000 or the second client 3000 is the clientthat may be used by the clinician, the radiological technologist, andthe medical apparatus technician for convenience of description, theclinician, the radiological technologist, or the medical apparatustechnician may communicate with the imaging environment settingapparatus 1000 via a third client (not shown).

Also, the clinician, the radiological technologist, and the medicalapparatus technician may be located within a predetermined range (forexample, in the same hospital) or may be located far away from oneanother. As shown in FIG. 2A, the imaging environment setting apparatus1000, the first client 2000, and the second client 3000 may communicatewith each other via a network. The network may be a wired or wirelessnetwork such as a local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network(MAN), a wide area network (WAN), a value added network (VAN), anintegrated service digital network (ISDN), an Intranet, an Extranet, anda broadcasting network.

FIG. 2B is a timing diagram illustrating the method of setting theimaging environment of the medical apparatus based on the at least onesignal transmitted from the plurality of clients, according to theexemplary embodiment.

The imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 may transmit theinformation relating to the imaging operation to at least one of thefirst client 2000 and the second client 3000 (S100). The informationrelating to the imaging operation may be simultaneously transmitted tothe at least one of the first client 2000 and the second client 3000.

Also, the imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 may receive atleast one response signal with respect to the information relating tothe imaging operation from at least one of the first and second clients2000 and 3000 (S200). The response signal may be the imaging approvalsignal, the imaging termination signal, the signal for changing theimaging parameter, and the signal for setting the image reconstructioncondition, as described above.

The imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 may set the imagingenvironment of the medical apparatus based on the response signal(S300).

Also, information representing the set imaging environment may betransmitted to the plurality of clients in real-time as informationrelating to the imaging operation. That is, information including thechanged imaging parameter may be transmitted to the plurality of clientssimultaneously. Therefore, the plurality of clients may be informedabout a state of setting the imaging environment in real-time.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of displaying informationrelating to the imaging operation provided to the plurality of clients,according to the exemplary embodiment.

According to the exemplary embodiment, the information relating to theimaging operation provided to the plurality of clients may include imagemonitoring information 310 and imaging parameter information 320.

Also, the information relating to the imaging operation may furtherinclude information 360 about a video conference between the pluralityof clients.

Also, the at least one response signal that may be transmitted to theimaging environment setting apparatus 1000 from the plurality of clients2000 and 3000 may include at least one of an image signal and a voicesignal for the video conference between the plurality of clients 2000and 3000.

For example, the clinician using the first client 2000 may have a videoconference with the medical apparatus technician by using the secondclient 3000 via the imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 fordiagnosing the object (for example, the medical image capturing). Thatis, the imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 receives at least oneof the image signal and the voice signal for the video conference fromthe first client 2000 and transmits the received signal to the secondclient 3000, and also receives at least one of the image signal and thevoice signal from the second client 3000 and transmits the receivedsignal to the first client 2000 so that the video conference may takeplace between the first client 2000 and the second client 3000.

As described above, the information relating to the imaging operationincluding the information about the video conference may be transmittedto the first client 2000 and second client 3000 via the imagingenvironment setting apparatus 1000.

The information relating to the imaging operation provided from theimaging environment setting apparatus 1000 may be respectively displayedon the first client 2000 and the second client 3000 as shown in FIG. 3.

According to the exemplary embodiment, when preparing to image theobject (for example, before starting the imaging) or when performing theimaging operation of the object, the clinician, the radiologicaltechnologist, or the medical apparatus technician may hold a videoconference in real-time via the imaging environment setting apparatus1000, and thus, opinions may be shared freely. Therefore, if theclinician, the radiological technologist, and the medical apparatustechnician are located far from each other, the inconvenience due todifficult communication between them may be avoided.

Also, according to the exemplary embodiment, the imaging environment maybe set in real-time through cooperation between the plurality ofclients, and thus, an error during the imaging operation (for example,imaging a wrong portion) may be prevented, and unnecessary processes maybe omitted (for example, reduction of a field of view (FOV)), andthereby reducing a time taken to perform the imaging operation.

As shown in FIG. 3, the image monitoring information 310 may includeinformation about a body state of the object, and information aboutmedical images of the object, which are obtained when starting theimaging operation.

Also, the imaging parameter information 320 may be provided as, forexample, a table (or matrix) including predetermined columns and rows.For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a list of available imaging itemsincluding at least one imaging protocol (for example, scan 1, etc.)about the object may be respectively provided to the plurality ofclients. The available imaging items may be referred to as a study for adiagnosis.

When preparing the imaging of the object or when performing the imagingof the object, a signal for changing the imaging parameter information320, which is generated by a user input to the first client 2000, may betransmitted to the imaging environment setting apparatus 1000.

For example, the signal for changing the imaging parameter information320 may be generated in the first client 2000 based on a user input 380to the first client 2000.

The user input 380 may be input to the first client 2000 or secondclient 3000 via an external input receiver (not shown) of the firstclient 2000 or second client 3000. The above user input 380 may includegestures of the user with respect to the external input receiver (notshown) of the first client 2000 or second client 3000.

The external input receiver (not shown) of the first client 2000 orsecond client 3000 may include a keyboard, a jog wheel, a joystick, abutton, a mouse, and a touch pad. Also, if the touch pad and a display(not shown) of the first client 2000 or second client 3000 form alayered structure, the structure may be referred to as a touch screen.

For example, the display (not shown) of the first client 2000 or secondclient 3000 may form a layered structure to configure a touch screen. Inthis case, the display of the first client 2000 or second client 3000may be used as an input device and the output device. The display mayinclude at least one of a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin filmtransistor-liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD), an organic light emittingdiode (OLED), a flexible display, and a three-dimensional (3D) display.

For example, a signal for changing the imaging parameter information 320may be generated in the first client by a tap gesture of the user withrespect to the imaging parameter information 320 displayed through thefirst client 2000.

The tap may refer to an operation of touching the touch screen of thefirst client 2000 or second client 3000 fast by using a finger or atouch tool (for example, a touch pen, a stylus pen, etc.). For example,a difference between a touch-in point at which the finger or the touchtool contacts the touch screen and a touch-out point at which the fingeror the touch tool separates from the touch screen is very short.

For example, a signal for changing a parameter of an image end rangefrom −1400 to −1200 or −1600 may be generated in the first client 2000by the tap gesture on the first client 2000.

For example, when the clinician taps (first tap) a parameter about theimaging end range currently displayed as −1400 through the first client2000, an available range (for example, −1100 through −2000) that may beset as a new imaging end range may be displayed as a pop-up windowoverlapping the currently displayed information 320. Then, the cliniciantaps (second tap) a parameter value of a desired imaging end range inthe available range to select the parameter value as a changed targetparameter. Then, the first client 2000 may generate a signal forrequesting the imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 to change theparameter of the imaging end range to the selected parameter value. Thesignal generated by the first client 2000 may be transmitted to theimaging environment setting apparatus 1000 as a response signal to theinformation relating to the imaging operation.

The generation of the signal for changing the image parameter is anexample. Candidate values of the new parameter value at the imaging endrange may be changed and displayed sequentially as −1400 to a −1500,−1600, to −2000, −1100, −1200 according to the repeated tap operationsof the user. The user may select the desired parameter value byperforming the tap operation repeatedly on the parameter, and the signalfor changing the imaging parameter to the selected parameter may begenerated in the client and may be provided to the imaging environmentsetting apparatus 1000.

Also, the signal for changing the imaging parameter according to theexemplary embodiment may be generated in the first client 2000 by, forexample, a drag-and-drop gesture of the user using the first client2000.

The drag-and-drop operation is an operation where the user drags anddrops an item at a predetermined location on the screen by using afinger or a touch tool.

For example, the user may designate an imaging range having apredetermined size at a predetermined location on a scout image by thedrag and drop gesture. The region having the predetermined size at thepredetermined location may have a polygonal shape such as, for example,a square or a rectangle.

The imaging parameter information 320 according to the exemplaryembodiment may include information about a scanning type, a tube currentmagnitude, a tube voltage magnitude, a start point of a region ininterest, an end point of the region in interest, a pitch value, ascanning direction, language (for example, language that may be used inan aural description provided through a broadcasting system during thescanning operation).

FIG. 4A is a diagram showing an example of displaying the imagingparameter information provided to a plurality of clients, according tothe exemplary embodiment.

For example, if the user of the first client 2000 selects a scan that isone of a list including available image items (for example, study shownin FIG. 3), detailed parameter information 321 relating to the selectedscan item may be displayed on the first client 2000 as shown in FIG. 4A.

The first client 2000 may generate a signal for changing the imagingparameter information based on a predetermined input 381 of the user ofthe first client 2000. For example, a signal for reducing a scan timefrom 30 seconds to 20 seconds or increasing to 40 seconds may begenerated according to a predetermined input 381 of the user.

FIG. 4B is a diagram showing another example of displaying the imagingparameter information provided to the plurality of clients, according tothe exemplary embodiment.

In the previous example, another detailed information 322 relating tothe selected scan item may be displayed on the first client 2000 asshown in FIG. 4B.

A signal for changing a breath hold time of the patient may be generatedbased on a predetermined input 382 input by the user of the first client2000. For example, the signal for reducing the breath hold time from 5seconds to 3 seconds or increasing to 8 seconds may be generatedaccording to the predetermined input 382. Since a child generally has ashorter breath hold time than an adult, it is important to set theimaging environment suitable for a patient in consideration of age,breath capacity, a respiratory, or the like.

For example, even if the radiological technologist fails to notice thebreath capacity checking operation of the patient while setting theimaging environment, the clinician, that is the user of the first client2000, may double-check (or feedback) the setting, and thus, an errorthat may be generate during the imaging process (for example, spread ofthe imaged image due to a failure of the breath hold) may be reduced.

The detailed information 321 and 322 of the imaging parameter may bedisplayed as an entire screen on the display (not shown) of the firstclient 2000, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. When the detailed information321 and 322 is displayed as the entire screen, the entire screen may bechanged through a screen change (for example, selecting of a next pageor a previous page).

Also, the detailed information 321 and 322 of the parameter may bedisplayed at the same time on the display (not shown) of the firstclient 2000 according to a predetermined screen arrangement (forexample, a checkerboard type).

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of displaying an imagereconstruction method that is to be used by the plurality of clients,according to the exemplary embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, detailed information 330 about an imagereconstruction method provided from the imaging environment settingapparatus 1000 may be displayed on the first client 2000 or the secondclient 3000.

The detailed information 330 about the image reconstruction method mayinclude additional information such as an image reconstruction type(Recon type), an image reconstruction start point (Start Recon), animage reconstruction end point (End Recon), a size of a imaged region tobe displayed (DFoV), center information (R/L center, A/P center), aslice thickness, an image reconstruction interval (Recon Interval), animage reconstruction kernel (for example, image reconstruction filter)(Kernel), a measuring reference size (Metrics Size), and seriesdescription.

For example, a signal for setting image reconstruction conditions may begenerated based on a user input 383 applied by the user of the firstclient 2000. The image reconstruction conditions may include all or someof the detailed information 330 about the image reconstruction method,which is described above.

The user of the first client 2000 or second client 3000 may set a fullmode or a plus mode as the image reconstruction type (Recon type). Thefull mode is a mode in which a slice thickness that is determined inadvance is maintained during the image reconstruction. Also, the plusmode is a mode in which a thicker slice than the slice thicknessdetermined in advance is provided during the image reconstruction. Noisein the image according to the plus mode may be less than that in thefull mode.

In the exemplary embodiment, the user of the first client 2000 may applya predetermined input 383 to the first client 2000 in order to changethe image reconstruction type, and the first client 2000 may generate asignal for setting the image reconstruction conditions including theimage reconstruction type according to the user input 383. The signalgenerated by the first client 2000 may be transmitted to the imagingenvironment setting apparatus 1000 as a response signal with respect tothe information relating to the imaging operation.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of displaying information aboutan operation type of a medical apparatus set in advance, according tothe exemplary embodiment.

According to the exemplary embodiment, the medical apparatus may operatein the imaging environment that is set in advance. As shown in FIG. 6,the medical image imaging environment may be set in advance according toa distinct indicator (for example, 045521) allocated to the disease inadvance. The imaging environment set in advance may be referred to asauto tasking. Also, information about the imaging environment set inadvance (340) as shown in FIG. 6 may be provided to the plurality ofclients.

For example, raw data about the object, server information (for example,Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS)) for managingreconstructed image data (for example, processing, editing, and storingdata), a frame format, and an image reconstruction type may be set inadvance as defaults.

The user of the first client 2000 may want to change the imagingenvironment according to the status of the object (for example, degreeof the disease, etc.). According to the exemplary embodiment, the userof the first client 2000 may apply a predetermined input 384 to thefirst client 2000, and the first client 2000 may generate a signal forchanging the imaging environment that is set in advance according to theapplication of the user input 384.

For example, according to a predetermined user input 384 for selecting asecond server (for example, PACS 02), a signal for changing the serverfor managing the raw data of the object and the reconstructed image datafrom a basic server to the second server (for example, PACS 02) may begenerated. The basic server may be a first server (for example, PACS 01)that is set as a default in advance.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of displaying triggeringinformation provided to a plurality of clients, according to theexemplary embodiment.

For example, an electrocardiogram (ECG) pulse may be used to acquiremedical images of a heart of the patient. According to the exemplaryembodiment, the information regarding the imaging may include triggeringinformation 350 including information about the ECG pulse. Theinformation about the ECG pulse may be formed as a waveform having apredetermined period as shown in FIG. 7, and may be provided to theplurality of clients at the same time.

The user of the first client 2000 may change an intensity of radiationthat is to be irradiated to the patient based on biological informationof the patient, diagnosis history, and information about the ECG pulse.For example, if the intensity of the radiation is currently set as anormal dose and the patient is a child who had other X-rayinvestigations a few days before the current imaging operation, theintensity of the radiation can be made to be lower than the normal doseunless the image quality is degraded.

Also, if the intensity of the radiation is currently set as a normaldose, an adult patient who has no history of imaging and is suspected tohave a small tumor small which has to be imaged precisely, the intensityof radiation has to be higher than the normal dose within a range of amaximum exposure dose to the radiation.

Therefore, in the above examples, the user of the first client 2000applies a predetermined input 386 to the first client 2000 in order tochange the intensity of the radiation, and the first client 2000 maygenerate a signal for changing the radiation intensity according to theapplication of the user input 386. The signal generated by the firstclient 2000 may be transmitted to the imaging environment settingapparatus 1000 as a response signal with respect to the informationregarding the imaging operation.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of displaying information on aclient that is provided with information regarding the imagingoperation, according to the exemplary embodiment.

The second client 3000 may receive image monitoring information 310, theimaging parameter information 320, and video conference information 362as the information relating to the imaging operation from the imagingenvironment setting apparatus 1000.

The image monitoring information 310 according to the exemplaryembodiment may include an image 312 having a predetermined indicator R1representing a region to be imaged or field of view (FOV) and a capturedimage 314 acquired corresponding to the indicator R1, as shown in FIG.8. The captured image 314 may be sequentially displayed according to theimaged time to correspond to the slices included in the region to beimaged (FOV).

Also, a signal for changing the image parameter information 320 may begenerated by a user input 387 input to the second client 3000 and may betransmitted to the imaging environment setting apparatus 1000. That is,as described above with reference to FIGS. 3 through 7, the signal forsetting the imaging environment generated by the second client 3000 maybe transmitted to the imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 as aresponse signal.

In addition, the video conference information 362 may include imageinformation about the user of the first client 2000. That is, the userof the second client 3000 may perform a video conference with the userof another client by using the video conference information 362.

The image monitoring information 310 may be displayed on the secondclient 3000 in various ways by a predetermined user input 388 input tothe second client 3000, which will be described below with reference toFIG. 9.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of displaying information on aclient provided with the information relating to the imaging operation,according to the exemplary embodiment.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9, captured images 314, 316, and 318acquired corresponding to the indicator R1 may be displayed together bya user input applied to the image 312 including the indicator R1representing the region to be imaged (FOV) or the captured image 314acquired to correspond to the indicator R1.

The user input 388 may include an external input applied to the clientfor a predetermined number of times. For example, the user input 388 maybe a double tap input. The double tap denotes an operation of touchingthe touch screen twice rapidly by using the finger or the touch tool(for example, a stylus pen).

For example, according to the user input 388 to the second client 3000with respect to the image 312 or 314, the second client 3000 may displaya screen shown in FIG. 9 from the screen shown in FIG. 8. When the CTimaging operation is performed, one or more captured images 314, 316,and 318 may be acquired according to the slices or specific areasincluded in the region to be imaged (FOV). The one or more capturedimages 314, 316, and 318 may be displayed on the display of the secondclient 3000 as shown in FIG. 9. The one or more captured images 314,316, and 318 may be displayed in real-time.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of setting an imagingenvironment based on a response signal, according to the exemplaryembodiment.

The imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 according to theexemplary embodiment may receive device information about the firstclient 2000 and confirmation request from the first client 2000 (S10).

The device information about the first client 2000 may include anidentifier of the first client 2000, and information about the userusing the first client 2000. The information about the user using thefirst client 2000 may include an identification (ID) allocated to eachuser in advance, basic information of the user, profession of the user(for example, a doctor, a radiological technologist, a technician,etc.), and a position of the user.

The imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 may perform aconfirmation process of the first client 2000 based on the deviceinformation of the first client 2000 (S11). For example, the imagingenvironment setting apparatus 1000 may determine whether the firstclient 2000 may access the imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 byusing a database provided in a server 134 or an external storage (notshown). That is, the imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 mayallow the first client 2000 to access thereto in a case where the deviceinformation of the first client 2000 coincides (matches) with thedatabase that is provided in advance.

In addition, when the confirmation is finished, the imaging environmentsetting apparatus 1000 may transmit a confirmation complete signalnotifying the allowance of access to the first client 2000.

Also, the imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 may receive deviceinformation about the second client 3000 and confirmation request fromthe second client 3000 (S20). Similarly to the above described process,the imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 may perform aconfirmation process of the second client 3000 based on the deviceinformation of the second client 3000 (S21). In addition, when theconfirmation is finished, the imaging environment setting apparatus 1000may transmit a confirmation complete signal notifying allowance of theaccess to the second client 3000.

The imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 may determine a prioritybetween the plurality of clients including the first and second clients2000 and 3000 based on the information about the user using the firstclient 2000 and the information about the user using the second client3000 (S30).

Since a responsible user (for example, one of the clinician, theradiological technologist, and the medical apparatus technician) isdetermined for each of the imaging processes of the object (for example,a imaging initiation process, an intermediate imaging process, a imagingcomplete process, etc.), and as described above, since the users maydiscuss through the video conference, there is a very small possibilityof overlapping the response signals with each other from each of theusers.

However, in each of the imaging initiation processes, the intermediateimaging process, and the imaging complete process, the response signalsmay be transmitted simultaneously from the plurality of users, and thereis a need to determine a priority among the clients in order to processthe response signals effectively.

The priority among the clients may be determined based on personalinformation of the users, professions of the users, and positions of theusers using the first client 2000 and second client 3000 currently.

For example, if the clinician currently uses the first client 2000 andthe radiological technologist or the medical apparatus techniciancurrently uses the second client 3000, it may be determined that thefirst client 2000 has a higher priority than the second client 3000.That is, the priority order between the clients may be determinedaccording to the users of the clients. For example, the priority ordermay be set in an order of the clinician, the radiological technologist,and the medical apparatus technician.

Also, the priority order between the clients may be vary depending onthe information regarding the imaging operation. For example, withrespect to the manipulation of the imaging parameters shown in FIGS. 4Aand 4B, the priority may be determined in an order of the clinician, theradiological technologist, and the medical apparatus technician. Also,with respect to the manipulation of the image reconstruction method ofFIG. 5, the priority may be determined in an order of the medicalapparatus technician, the clinician, and the radiological technologist.Also, with respect to the manipulation of the auto tasking in FIG. 6,the priority may be determined in an order of the radiologicaltechnologist, the medical apparatus technician, and the clinician.

The imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 may transmit theinformation regarding the imaging operation of the medical apparatus tothe first and second clines 2000 and 3000 (S100).

Also, the imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 may receive atleast one response signal with respect to the information regarding theimaging operation from the plurality of clients 2000 and 3000 (S200).

For example, if the first client 2000 is used by the clinician and thesecond client 3000 is used by the radiological technologist, withrespect to the image reconstruction method of FIG. 5, the clinician maywant to reconstruct the image in the full mode and transmit a responsesignal for setting the full mode to the imaging environment settingapparatus 1000 and the radiological technologist may want to reconstructthe image in the plus mode and may transmit a response signal forsetting the plus mode to the imaging environment setting apparatus 1000.

The imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 may select at least onefrom the at least one response signal according to the priority orderdetermined between the plurality of clients 2000 and 3000 (S310).

In the above example, the imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 mayselect the response signal for setting the full mode according to theclinician's opinion having higher priority.

Also, the imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 may set the imagingenvironment of the medical apparatus according to the selected responsesignal (S320). In the above example, the imaging environment settingapparatus 1000 may set the image reconstruction type as a full modeaccording to the selected response signal for setting the full mode.

According to the exemplary embodiment, when receiving different responsesignals from the plurality of clients 2000 and 3000, the imagingenvironment setting apparatus 1000 may notify the plurality of clients2000 and 3000 of the reception of the different response signals as apredetermined alarm.

For example, the predetermined alarm may be a message including at leastone of characters, numbers, and graphical indicators (for example,icons). Also, the predetermined alarm may be provided to the user assound or voice.

In the above example, with respect to the image reconstruction method ofFIG. 5, if the clinician wants to reconstruct the captured image in thefull mode and transmits a response signal for setting the full mode tothe imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 and the radiologicaltechnologist wants to reconstruct the captured image in the plus modeand transmits a response signal for setting the plus mode to the imagingenvironment setting apparatus 1000, the imaging environment settingapparatus 1000 may notify the clinician and the radiologicaltechnologist of the reception of different response signals as apredetermined alarm.

For example, the imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 may transmita message representing the response signal of the radiologicaltechnologist (for example, “the radiological technologist wants toreconstruct the image in the plus mode”) to the clinician, and maytransmit a message representing the response signal of the clinician(for example, “the clinician wants to reconstruct the image in the fullmode”) to the radiological technologist. The message may be provided tothe user (for example, the clinician or the radiological technologist)as a pop-up on the display in each of the respective first client 2000and second client 3000.

Therefore, the clinician or the radiological technologist may set theoptical imaging environment by exchanging opinions through the imagingenvironment setting apparatus 1000.

FIG. 11 is a timing diagram illustrating a method of setting a imagingenvironment of a medical apparatus based on connection confirmations ofthe plurality of clients, and a priority order determined with respectto the plurality of confirmed clients, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates the same steps as that shown in FIG. 10 but inrelation to the imaging environment setting apparatus 1000, the firstclient 2000 and the second client 3000. The imaging environment settingapparatus 1000 may receive the device information about the first client2000 and the confirmation request from the first client 2000 (S10).

The imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 may perform aconfirmation process for determining whether the access of the firstclient 2000 to the imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 is allowedby using the device information of the first client 2000 (S11). Also,the imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 may transmit theconfirmation result to the first client 2000.

If the confirmation fails and the access of the first client 2000 to theimaging environment setting apparatus 1000 is denied, the first client2000 updates the device information, and then, may transmit the updateddevice information and the confirmation request to the imagingenvironment setting apparatus 1000.

Also, the imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 may receive thedevice information about the second client 3000 and the confirmationrequest from the second client 3000 (S20), and may perform theconfirmation process of the second client 3000 based on the deviceinformation of the second client 3000 (S21). In addition, the imagingenvironment setting apparatus 1000 may transmit the confirmation resultto the second client 3000.

The imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 may determine a priorityorder between the first and second clients 2000 and 3000 based on theuser information of the first client 2000 and the user information ofthe second client 3000 (S30).

The imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 may transmit theinformation relating to the imaging operation of the medical apparatusto the first and second clients 2000 and 3000 (S100).

Also, the imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 may receive atleast one response signal with respect to the information relating tothe imaging operation from the plurality of clients 2000 and 3000(S200).

The imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 may select at least oneof the response signal according to the priority order between theplurality of clients 2000 and 3000 (S310).

Then, the imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 may set the imagingenvironment of the medical apparatus according to the selected responsesignal (S320).

In addition, the imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 may transmitinformation representing the set imaging environment to the plurality ofclients 2000 and 3000 in real-time as the information relating to theimaging operation. Thus, the plurality of clients 2000 and 3000 mayidentify the imaging environment setting in real-time.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a imaging environment setting apparatus1000 for setting the imaging environment of a medical apparatus based onat least one signal transmitted from a plurality of clients, accordingto an exemplary embodiment.

The imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 according to theexemplary embodiment includes a transmitter 1100 transmittinginformation relating to a imaging operation of the medical apparatus tothe plurality of clients 2000 and 3000, a receiver 1200 receiving atleast one response signal with respect to the information relating tothe imaging operation from the plurality of clients, and an imagingenvironment setter 1300 for setting the imaging environment of themedical apparatus based on the at least one response signal.

The information regarding the imaging operation may include at least oneof image monitoring information, imaging parameter information, andimage processing information.

The at least one response signal includes at least one of an imageapproval signal and a imaging termination signal as a response signal tothe image monitoring information, a signal for changing the imagingparameter as a response signal to the imaging parameter information, anda signal for setting an image reconstruction condition as a responsesignal to the image processing information.

The information regarding the imaging operation may further includeinformation about a video conference among the plurality of clients.

Also, the at least one response signal may include at least one of animage signal and a voice signal for the video conference.

The information representing the set imaging environment may betransmitted to the plurality of clients 2000 and 3000 via thetransmitter 1100 as the information relating to the imaging operation.Imaging environment setting apparatus 1000 may be an apparatus includedin a CT system 100 which will be described below with reference to FIG.15, or may be a processor connected to the CT system 100.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an imaging environment setting apparatus1000 further including a selector, according to an exemplary embodiment.

The imaging environment setter 1300 in the imaging environment settingapparatus 1000 may further include a selector for selecting at least oneof one or more response signals according to a priority order betweenthe plurality of clients. Also, the imaging environment setter 1300 mayset the imaging environment of the medical apparatus according to theselected response signal.

Since a CT system is capable of providing a cross-sectional image of anobject, the CT system may express an inner structure (e.g., an organsuch as a kidney, a lung, etc.) of the object without any overlap withother organs, compared to a general X-ray capturing apparatus.

Since the CT system photographs the inner structure of the object byusing X-rays, it is important to control an exposure dose of the objectto radiation. Therefore, according to the exemplary embodiments, theimaging environment is set by using the signals transmitted from theplurality of clients, and thereby preventing a re-imaging operation thatis not necessary and reduces the exposure dose of the object toradiation. That is, an optimal imaging environment suitable for thediagnosis of the object (for example, omission of unnecessary processes,and reduction in imaging time) may be set through the participations ofthe plurality of clients.

An exemplary CT system according to an exemplary embodiment will bedescribed below.

The CT system 100 according to the exemplary embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 14. The CT system 100 may includevarious devices.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of the CT system 100. Referring to FIG.14, the CT system 100 may include a gantry 102, a table 105, an X-raygenerator 106, and an X-ray detector 108.

The gantry 102 may include the X-ray generator 106 and the X-raydetector 108.

A patient 10 may be positioned on the table 105.

The table 105 may move in a predetermined direction (e.g., at least oneof up and down or right and left directions) during a CT imagingprocedure. Also, the table 105 may tilt or rotate by a predetermineddegree in a predetermined direction.

The gantry 102 may also tilt by a predetermined degree in apredetermined direction.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a structure of the CT system 100.

The CT system 100 may include the gantry 102, the table 105, acontroller 118, a storage 124, an image processor 126, an inputter 128,a display 130, and a communicator 132.

As described above, the patient 10 may be positioned on the table 105.In the present exemplary embodiment, the table 105 may move in apredetermined direction (e.g., at least one of up and down or right andleft directions), and movement of the table 105 may be controlled by thecontroller 118.

The gantry 102 may include a rotating frame 104, the X-ray generator106, the X-ray detector 108, a rotation driver 110, a data acquisitionsystem (DAS) 116, and a data transmitter 120.

The gantry 102 may include the rotating frame 104 having a loop shapecapable of rotating with respect to a predetermined rotation axis RA.Also, the rotating frame 104 may have a disc shape.

The rotating frame 104 may include the X-ray generator 106 and the X-raydetector 108 that face each other so as to have a predetermined field ofview FOV. The rotating frame 104 may also include an anti-scatter grid114. The anti-scatter grid 114 may be positioned between the X-raygenerator 106 and the X-ray detector 108.

In a medical imaging system, X-ray radiation that reaches a detector (ora photosensitive film) includes not only attenuated primary radiationthat forms a valuable image but also scattered radiation thatdeteriorates a quality of an image. In order to transmit the primaryradiation and to attenuate the scattered radiation, the anti-scattergrid 114 may be positioned between a patient and the detector (or thephotosensitive film).

For example, the anti-scatter grid 114 may be formed by alternatelystacking lead foil strips and an interspace material such as a solidpolymer material, solid polymer, or a fiber composite material. However,formation of the anti-scatter grid 114 is not limited thereto.

The rotating frame 104 may receive a driving signal from the rotationdriver 110 and may rotate the X-ray generator 106 and the X-ray detector108 by a predetermined rotation speed. The rotating frame 104 mayreceive the driving signal and power from the rotation driver 110 whilethe rotating frame 104 contacts the rotation driver 110 via a slip ring(not shown). Also, the rotating frame 104 may receive the driving signaland power from the rotation driver 110 via wireless communication.

The X-ray generator 106 may receive a voltage and current from a powerdistribution unit (PDU) (not shown) via a slip ring (not shown) and thena high voltage generator (not shown), and then may generate and emitX-rays. When the high voltage generator applies predetermined voltage(hereinafter, referred as the tube voltage) to the X-ray generator 106,the X-ray generator 106 may generate X-rays having a plurality of energyspectrums that correspond to the tube voltage.

The X-rays generated by the X-ray generator 106 may be shaped into apredetermined form by a collimator 112.

The X-ray detector 108 may be positioned to face the X-ray generator106. The X-ray detector 108 may include a plurality of X-ray detectingdevices. Each of the plurality of X-ray detecting devices may establishone channel but one or more exemplary embodiments are not limitedthereto.

The X-ray detector 108 may detect the X-rays generated by the X-raygenerator 106 and transmitted via the patient 10, and may generate anelectrical signal corresponding to intensity of the detected X-ray.

The X-ray detector 108 may include an indirect-type X-ray detector fordetecting radiation after converting the radiation into light, and adirect-type X-ray detector for detecting radiation after directlyconverting the radiation into electric charges. The indirect-type X-raydetector may use a scintillator. Also, the direct-type X-ray detectormay use a photon counting detector. The DAS 116 may be connected to theX-ray detector 108. The electrical signal generated by the X-raydetector 108 may be wiredly or wirelessly collected by the DAS 116.Also, the electrical signal generated by the X-ray detector 108 may beprovided to an analog-to-digital converter (not shown) via an amplifier(not shown).

According to a slice thickness or the number of slices of the objectbeing imaged, only some of a plurality of data collected by the X-raydetector 108 may be provided to the image processor 126 via the datatransmitter 120, or the image processor 126 may select only some of theplurality of data. A slice can be, for example, a component of theobject being imaged and object can be divided into multiple slicesduring imaging.

The digital signal may be provided to the image processor 126 via thedata transmitter 120. The digital signal may also be wiredly orwirelessly provided to the image processor 126.

The controller 118 may control an operation of each of modules in the CTsystem 100. For example, the controller 118 may control operations ofthe table 105, the rotation driver 110, the collimator 112, the DAS 116,the storage 124, the image processor 126, the inputter 128, the display130, the communicator 132, or the like.

The image processor 126 may receive data (e.g., pure data before aprocessing operation), which is obtained from the DAS 116, via the datatransmitter 120, and may perform pre-processing.

The pre-processing may include a process of correcting sensitivityirregularity between channels, a process of correcting a signal loss dueto a rapid decrease of a signal intensity or due to an X-ray absorbingmaterial such as metal or the like.

Data output from the image processor 126 may be referred to as raw dataor projection data. The projection data and image-capturing conditions(e.g., the tube voltage, an image-capturing angle, etc.) while the datais being obtained may be stored together in the storage 124.

The projection data may be a group of data values that correspond to theintensity of the X-ray that passes through the object 10. Forconvenience of description, it is assumed that a group of a plurality ofpieces of projection data that are simultaneously obtained from allchannels by a same image-capturing degree is referred as a projectiondata set.

The storage 124 may include at least one storage medium from among aflash memory-type storage medium, a hard disk-type storage medium, amultimedia card micro-type storage medium, card-type memories (e.g., anSD card, an XD memory, and the like), Random Access Memory (RAM), StaticRandom Access Memory (SRAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), ElectricallyErasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), Programmable Read-OnlyMemory (PROM) magnetic memory, a magnetic disc, and an optical disc.

The image processor 126 may reconstruct a cross-sectional image withrespect to the patient 10 by using the projection data set. Thecross-sectional image may be a 3D image. In other words, the imageprocessor 126 may reconstruct the 3D image of the object 10 by using acone beam reconstruction method or the like, based on the projectiondata set.

The inputter 128 may receive an external input with respect to an X-raytomography imaging condition, an image processing condition, or thelike. For example, the X-ray tomography imaging condition may includetube voltages, energy value setting with respect to a plurality ofX-rays, selection of an image-capturing protocol, selection of an imagereconstruction method, setting of a FOV area, the number of slices, aslice thickness, parameter setting with respect to imagepost-processing, or the like. Also, the image processing condition mayinclude a resolution of an image, attenuation coefficient setting withrespect to the image, setting of an image combining ratio, or the like.

The inputter 128 may include a device for receiving a predeterminedinput from an external source. For example, the inputter 128 may includea microphone, a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a touch pad, a touch pen,a voice recognition device, a gesture recognition device, or the like.

The display 130 may display an X-ray tomography image reconstructed bythe image processor 126.

Exchanges of data, power, or the like between the aforementionedelements may be performed by using at least one of wired communication,wireless communication, and optical communication.

The communicator 132 may perform communication with an external device,an external medical apparatus, etc. via a server 134 or the like. Thecommunication will now be described with reference to FIG. 16.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a structure of the communicator 132.

The communicator 132 may be wiredly or wirelessly connected to a network301 and therefore may perform communication with the server 134, anexternal medical apparatus 136, or an external portable device 138. Thecommunicator 132 may exchange data with a hospital server or othermedical apparatuses in a hospital connected via a Picture Archiving andCommunication System (PACS).

Also, the communicator 132 may perform data communication with theportable device 138 or the like according to a Digital Imaging andCommunications in Medicine (DICOM) standard.

The communicator 132 may transmit and receive data for diagnosing thepatient 10 via the network 301. Also, the communicator 132 may transmitand receive a medical image obtained from the medical apparatus 136 suchas a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus, an X-ray apparatus, orthe like.

Furthermore, the communicator 132 may receive a diagnosis history or amedical treatment schedule of a patient from the server 134 and may usethe diagnosis history or the medical treatment schedule for a clinicaldiagnosis of the patient. Also, the communicator 132 may perform datacommunication not only with the server 134 or the medical apparatus 136in a hospital but also with the portable device 138 of a user orpatient.

Also, the communicator 132 may transmit information about a deviceerror, information about a quality control status, or the like to asystem manager or a service manager via the network 301, and may receivefeedback corresponding to the information.

The above descriptions may also apply to an apparatus according to theexemplary embodiments. Therefore, the same components of the apparatusas those in the above descriptions are omitted here.

The exemplary embodiments may be written as computer programs and may beimplemented in general-use digital computers that execute the programsusing a computer-readable recording medium.

Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include magneticstorage media (e.g., ROM, floppy disks, hard disks, etc.), opticalrecording media (e.g., CD-ROMs, or DVDs), etc.

While one or more exemplary embodiments have been described withreference to the figures, it will be understood by those of ordinaryskill in the art that various changes in form and details may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope as defined by thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of setting an imaging environment of amedical apparatus based on one or more signals transmitted from aplurality of clients, the method comprising: transmitting informationregarding an imaging operation of the medical apparatus to the pluralityof clients; receiving one or more response signals with respect to theinformation from the plurality of clients; and setting the imagingenvironment of the medical apparatus based on the one or more responsesignals.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the information regarding theimaging operation comprises at least one of an image monitoringinformation, an imaging parameter information, and an image processinginformation.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the one or more responsesignals comprise at least one of an imaging approval signal or animaging termination signal if the information related to the imagingoperation is the image monitoring information, a signal to changeimaging parameters if the information related to the imaging operationis the imaging parameter information, and a signal to set an imagereconstruction condition if the information related to the imagingoperation is the image processing information.
 4. The method of claim 2,wherein the information relating to the imaging operation furthercomprises information about a video conference between the plurality ofclients.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the one or more responsesignals comprise at least one of an image signal and a voice signal forthe video conference.
 6. The method of claim 3, wherein the setting theimaging environment comprises: selecting at least one of the one or moreresponse signals according to a priority order between the plurality ofclients; and setting the imaging environment of the medical apparatusaccording to the selected response signal.
 7. The method of claim 6,wherein information representing the set imaging environment istransmitted to the plurality of clients in real-time as a transmittingof information regarding the imaging operation.
 8. An apparatus forsetting an imaging environment of a medical apparatus based on one ormore response signals transmitted from a plurality of clients, theapparatus comprising: a transmitter configured to transmit informationregarding an imaging operation of the medical apparatus to the pluralityof clients; a receiver configured to receive the one or more responsesignals with respect to the information from the plurality of clients;and an imaging environment setter configured to set the imagingenvironment of the medical apparatus based on the one or more responsesignals.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the information relatingto the imaging operation comprises at least one of an image monitoringinformation, an imaging parameter information, and an image processinginformation.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the one or moreresponse signals comprises at least one of an imaging approval signal oran imaging termination signal if the information related to the imagingoperation is image monitoring information, a signal to change theimaging parameters if the information related to the imaging operationis the imaging parameter information, and a signal to set an imagereconstruction condition if the information related to the imagingoperation is the image processing information.
 11. The apparatus ofclaim 9, wherein the information regarding the imaging operation furthercomprises information about a video conference between the plurality ofclients.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the one or more responsesignals comprise at least one of an image signal and a voice signal forthe video conference.
 13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the imagingenvironment setter further comprises a selector configured to select atleast one of the one or more response signals according to a priorityorder between the plurality of clients, and sets the imaging environmentof the medical apparatus according to selected response signal.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 13, wherein information representing the set imagingenvironment is transmitted to the plurality of clients in real-time as atransmitting of the information regarding the imaging operation.
 15. Anon-transitory computer readable recording medium having embodiedthereon a program for executing a method for setting an imagingenvironment of a medical apparatus based on one or more signalstransmitted from a plurality of clients, the method comprising:transmitting information regarding an imaging operation of the medicalapparatus to the plurality of clients; receiving one or more responsesignals with respect to the information from the plurality of clients;and setting the imaging environment of the medical apparatus based onthe one or more response signals.
 16. The method according to claim 1,further comprising assigning a priority for controlling the medicalapparatus to the plurality of clients according to the received one ormore response signals.